Medea’s Multiracial Resilience

Written and performed by Debora Balardini

Text based on Nocturnal Daydreams by Guilherme Zelig

In ‘Backlash to Brazilian Happiness,’ Debora Balardini delivers a poignant solo performance, offering a unique perspective as a Brazilian-American multiracial woman navigating life in the United States. Drawing subtle inspiration from the mythological character Medea, her portrayal illuminates the inner struggles faced by a survivor of sexual abuse and societal judgments, who grapples with the pervasive feeling of being deemed ‘not enough.’ Through a captivating blend of movement, voice, and text, Balardini’s performance serves as a powerful ode to the resilience of women, echoing the timeless themes of transformation and empowerment found in the myth of Medea, as they continually shape, deconstruct, and rebuild their identities.